Check out all the tips and details from our amazing Pyrenees family holidays. This itinerary is especially helpful for those visiting the Aragonese Pyrenees with seniors and young children!

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Our Amazing Pyrenees Family Holidays

Visiting Aragonese Pyrenees

While this family weekend in the Aragonese Pyrenees wasn’t our first time in the region, the new 3-day adventure presented an unexpected planning challenge. My elderly in-laws asked to join us, so I had to create a new itinerary without any hikes. If someone had told me this a few years ago – I would have thought it made no sense. Why would anyone visit a region known for its stunning hikes and national parks without exploring them? While there are many easy trails in the Pyrenees suitable for seniors, it still wasn’t an option for us. My in-laws weren’t into hiking, even in their youth. Therefore, planning this Pyrenees family holidays in a way that I could find something enjoyable for everyone turned out to be one of the most challenging tasks of all my mountain getaways.

As the person at the tourist info center said to me, “The only thing you’re missing on this trip is a dog,” because, seriously, it couldn’t have been more limiting. Some places in the Aragonese Pyrenees, like Pasarelas de Panticosa, don’t allow kids, while others, like Lacuniacha Park, involve elevations that are difficult for seniors who aren’t in shape. On top of that, I still have a never-ending Pyrenees bucket list. So, I wanted to explore new gems in the region rather than revisiting beautiful places we’ve already seen.

Where are the Aragonese Pyrenees?

The Aragonese Pyrenees are located in northeastern Spain, within the autonomous community of Aragon. This stunning mountain range is part of the larger Pyrenees chain, which forms a natural border between Spain and France. The region is home to some of the most breathtaking hikes in Spain and includes the iconic Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, one of the oldest national parks in the country.

I thought I’d share the detailed itinerary of our Pyrenees family holidays. I’m sure there are many travelers out there who love nature but don’t want (or can’t) go on challenging hikes. While exploring the top trails in the Pyrenees greatly enhances the experience, it isn’t mandatory. In this post, you’ll find our ultimate 3-day itinerary in Aragonese Pyrenees. Additionally, you can also check out and save the detailed videos of our first, second, and third days on TikTok.

To plan further, you can find all my posts about the region under the hashtag Pyrenees.

3 days in the pyrenees of aragon in spain — *The small town of Panticosa*

El sarrio train mountains panticosa — *El Sarrio Train in Panticosa*

Where to stay in the Pyrenees of Aragon

For this trip, we rented an apartment in Panticosa. However, next time, I would probably choose Sallent de Gallego, one of the most beautiful small towns in the area. Also, you can check out accommodations for all tastes and preferences on the map below.

3-day Itinerary for the Aragonese Pyrenees

Pyrenees family-friendly itinerary – Day 1

Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa

We began our family weekend in the Pyrenees with a nice breakfast in the center of Panticosa. Afterward, we took the nearest ski lift, Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa. It’s a popular spot in the Pyrenees during the winter months, offering skiers and snowboarders a scenic ride up the mountains. However, it’s also one of the few ski lifts available in the summer.

Most visitors take the morning lift to enjoy a day of hiking in the mountains. The return ticket costs 24.50 euros per person and 14 euros for kids. Here are the hiking trails you can explore after taking the Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa up the mountains (the first three trails are easy and family-friendly; the last two have a medium level of difficulty).

Mirador de Yandel (1,15 km)
Ibon de Sabocos (2,5 km) * ”ibon” means the glaciar lake
Ibon de Asnos (2,25 km)
Vuelta al Pico Mandilar (6,8 km)
Mirador de los Valles (2,7 km)

The cable car itself provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. For those who don’t want to hike, there’s a café at the top where you can simply enjoy a coffee.

pyrenees of spain itinerary — *Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa offers some of the best views in the Pyrenees of Aragon*

aragon pyrenees trip — *The hourses near Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa*

pyrenees of aragon travel — *Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa – the views on the go*

Museo Angel Orensanz y Artes de Serrablo

Since we didn’t hike after taking the Telecabina Formigal-Panticosa, we had some time before lunch. So, we drove to one of the hidden museums in the area, Museo Angel Orensanz y Artes de Serrablo. The museum is dedicated to the traditional arts and crafts of the Aragonese Pyrenees and houses a collection of modern sculptures by Angel Orensanz, a famous Spanish sculptor and painter born in the area but currently living in New York.

I really enjoyed visiting this museum. It offers a fascinating journey through the region’s cultural history with a rich collection of artifacts, including traditional tools, textiles, and religious art. The unique blend of historical exhibits with contemporary sculptures by Angel Orensanz keeps the cultural traditions of different generations alive.

After visiting the museum, we had lunch at Meson Don Diego. You can read more about local foods in this post.

pyrenees museums spain Serralbo arts crafts — *Museo Angel Orensanz y Artes de Serrablo – one of the secret Spanish museums not to be missed*

Tren El Sarrio

In the afternoon, we planned a scenic El Sarrio train ride to one of the most protected valleys in the region, Valle de La Ripera. Most travelers take the first train around 9:30 am and return with the last one at 5:15 pm. Since we didn’t plan to hike, we took the train at 4:00 pm and had only 15 minutes to walk around.

Valle de La Ripera is one of the most unique natural settings in the region, so private vehicle access is restricted. You can either get train tickets or walk from Panticosa. The return ticket costs 20 euros per person (15 euros for kids) and takes about 40 minutes one way.

Once you reach Valle de La Ripera, there are a few stunning hikes to enjoy in the area: Ruta al Dedo de Yenefrito, Ruta al Rincon de Verde, Ruta a la Cascada del Salto de Tendenera, and Ruta al Ibon de Catieras. All of these, except the last one, are considered family-friendly.

Not being able to hike in Valle de La Ripera was probably my biggest regret of this family weekend in the Pyrenees of Aragon. The whole area looked stunning, and we even spotted a beaver. The fact that this area is protected helps preserve the local flora and fauna, so I hope to return to Valle de La Ripera on my next visit. Also, keep in mind that the train ride is bumpy and dusty, but for me, it was 100% worth it.

pyrenees mountains trip spain Valle de la Ripera ren sarrio — *Valle de La Ripera – the hidden gem in the Pyrenees of Aragon*

nature in the pyrenees — *Wildlife at Valle de La Ripera*

Valle de La Ripera pyrenees hiking trips spain — *The hiking trails of Valle de La Ripera*

Lanuza

In the evening, we headed to Lanuza, a small town considered one of the most charming in the Pyrenees. It’s even compared to “the town of Frozen” in Spanish travel media. However, keep in mind that in July, Lanuza hosts a local festivity Festival Pirineos Sur, so access to private vehicles is closed during the event.

Pyrenees family-friendly itinerary – Day 2

Lacuniacha Wildlife Park

On the second day of our family weekend in the Pyrenees, we left our seniors to enjoy breakfast and took the kids to Lacuniacha Wildlife Park. This place offers visitors an immersive experience with the region’s diverse flora and fauna and is home to a variety of animals, including deer, lynxes, wolves, and bison.

Most of the animals at Lacuniacha Wildlife Park were rescued and cannot be returned to their natural habitats. So, the park plays a crucial role in the conservation of endangered species.

We didn’t bring the seniors with us because I read the reviews stating that the area wasn’t flat. While it’s not a difficult trail, it isn’t suitable for people with limited mobility.

I recommend visiting right after the park opens, as we were the only visitors for a while. Around 10 am, they start feeding the animals, which is quite a spectacle.

pyrenees travel blog — *Lacuniacha Wildlife Park – a must-stop in the Pyrenees of Aragon*

Laberinto de los Pirineos

After visiting Lacuniacha Wildlife Park, we headed to the nearby maze Laberinto de los Pirineos. Both places almost share a parking area. Parking at the maze is currently free, while parking at Lacuniacha costs 5 euros per day. The Laberinto de los Pirineos is a relatively adventurous activity in the Pyrenees. My kids loved it, but since we visited around 11:30 am, it was already quite busy. The staff told us it usually takes visitors between 20 minutes and 2 hours to find their way out. There were a few emergency exits, but my kids insisted on finding the way out themselves (which took us around 40 minutes).

After the maze, we drove for lunch to Asador A Chaminera in the small town of Sabiñanigo.

visit the pyrenees of spain — *Laberinto de los Pirineos Is a great place to visit in the Pyrenees with kids*

Pyrenees restaurants spain meat dishes — *Lunch at Asador A Chaminera*

Spa Balneario Panticosa

In the afternoon, we decided to visit one of the oldest spa areas in Spain, Balneario Panticosa. These natural hot springs have been attracting visitors for centuries and are known for the therapeutic properties of their mineral-rich waters. Keep in mind that there are only a few family-friendly hours per day when you can bring kids. Spa Balneario Panticosa honestly surprised me. Since its reviews are generally low, so were my expectations. However, we really enjoyed it. Yes, the facilities are old and could benefit from some restoration. Yet, even on a Friday afternoon, it wasn’t crowded like Andorra’s Caldea (which feels more like a water park, unless you get an early-bird entrance). The outdoor pools were surrounded by serene mountain landscapes.

Balneario de Panticosa : 75´ Thermal Circuit Tiberio Therms (check availability)

Spa Balneario Panticosa also has its own hotel, as it is a popular weekend destination for the Spaniards to unplug.

spanish pyrenees road trip itinerary — *The waterfall near Balneario Panticosa*

balneario banticosa spain — *SPA Balneario Panticosa (unfortunately, the photos inside are not allowed)*

Pyrenees family-friendly itinerary – Day 3

Dolmen de Santa Elena

On the last day of our family weekend in the Pyrenees, we decided to explore some local sights we had missed during previous visits.

Our first stop was the Dolmen de Santa Elena. These fascinating prehistoric monuments are considered one of Spain’s biggest historical mysteries. They are believed to date back to the Neolithic period and were likely used for funerary or ceremonial purposes by the area’s early inhabitants. However, no one knows for sure, and you can find more dolmens in the Spanish Pyrenees.

europe mountains pyrenees — *Dolmen de Santa Elena – one of the Spanish historical mysteries*

The Church of San Pedro Larrede

Our next stop was a local church Iglesia de San Pedro de Lárrede. It dates back to the 11th century and is known as unique example of Romanic art. This historic church forms part of “Serrablo Route”. Other unique churches of the region are: San Martín de Arto, San Juan de Busa, San Bartolomé de Gavín, Santa María de Isún de Basa, Iglesia de Javierrelatre, San Pedro de Lasieso, San Miguel de Latre, San Martín de Oliván, San Martín de Ordovés, San Miguel de Orna, Santa Eulalia de Orós Bajo, San Juan de Orús, San Andrés de Satué, and Santa Eulalia de Susín.

The Serrablo churches reflect the medieval craftsmanship and deep religious devotion of the time. So, visiting at least a few is a must-do when in the Pyrenees of Aragon.

visit the pyrenees of aragon — *The Church of San Pedro Larrede reminded me of Vall de Boi in the Catalan Pyrenees*

Military Miniatures of Jaca

After the morning sightseeing, we headed to Jaca for lunch. These restaurants are great: Biarritz and El Rincón de la Catedral, but you need to book in advance unless you want to wait to be seated.

On this trip to the Pyrenees of Aragon, we finally visited the Miniatures Museum in Jaca, located in the San Pedro de Jaca Citadel. Last time, they didn’t let us in 40 minutes before closing because they said we’d need at least two hours to see everything. This has happened to me before at some Spanish landmarks and still makes me mad: why should anyone tell you how long to stay somewhere? If I’m willing to pay the entrance fee and commit to leaving at closing time, I should be able to stay as long as I want. Not to mention that while the citadel is spacious and you can walk around for a while, the museum itself (unless you’re an extreme fan of miniatures) can be seen in 20 minutes. In our case, it took 30 minutes, partially because we were with kids who don’t stay in one place for long.

The displays at the Military Miniatures Museum showcase a wide range of historical scenes, from ancient civilizations and medieval battles to modern-day events, all on a miniature scale. The museum’s collection includes over 32,000 pieces – so, despite their strange rules, the museum is worth visiting.

pyrenees for seniors trip — *San Pedro de Jaca Citadel*

pyrenees family friendly blog miniatures museum jaca — *The Miniatures Museum in Jaca*

Sallent de Gallego

For dinner, we headed to Sallent de Gallego, which turned out to be a great discovery in the Pyrenees of Aragon. The village is really beautiful (I’ll try to book accommodation here on my next visit). Since we visited in July, it was time for the local festival in Sallent de Gallego, so parking was almost impossible. On the other hand, the atmosphere was vibrant, with the festival featuring lots of handmade Spanish gifts and unique performances.

We had a lovely dinner at Pizzeria El Arrigo. We were among the first visitors, but later on, the service was slowing down because the place was completely full.

small towns in the pyrenees sallent de gallego — *Sallent de Gallego*

where to eat in the Pyrenees restaurants — *Dining with the views of the Pyrenees*

The easiest hikes in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Here are a few suggestions for travelers looking for easy trails in the Pyrenees of Aragon. I researched these in the hope of convincing my in-laws to take a walk, but unfortunately, I had no luck with that.

Camino Natural de Lanuza (6,2 km) – starts at Naves de Sallent
Vuelta al Balneario de Panticosa (2,2 km) – starts at Balneario de Panticosa
Panticosa – El Pueyo de Jaca (5,3 km) – starts at Plaza de Panticosa
Gavin – Monasterio de San Pelay (4,4 km) – starts at Instalaciones deportivas de Gavin
La Cascada dos Lucas (1,2 km) – starts at Aparcamiento de Oros Bajo

Top Museums in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Here´s the list of small secret museums in the Pyrenees of Aragon:

Museo de Dibujo Julio Gavin
Centro de Interpretacion La Torraza
Centro de Interpretacion Casa de la Pez
Centro de Interpretacion Harinera La Dolores
Centro de Interpretacion de los Glaciares

By and large, this recent weekend in the Pyrenees of Aragon has proved the region to be the perfect choice for our multigenerational family vacation. From breathtaking mountain landscapes to charming villages and family-friendly activities, I felt like this trip made us all to bond in new ways.

6 Comments

Jolayne on September 18, 2024 at 10:44 PM

I understand your frustration in changing your plans, but it looks as though you found plenty to have fun and make some new family memories.
Carmen on September 19, 2024 at 12:57 AM

Never thought about what a good option cable cars can be for the elderly and young – what a good compromise!
Tracy on September 19, 2024 at 2:28 AM

Great pivot to make special family memories! And what a lovely place to do so!
Her asIAN ADVENTURES on September 19, 2024 at 7:39 AM

I´m not a senior but I really don´t like hiking so I absolutely loved this blog post! It gave me so many ideas for a family weekend in the Pyrenees of Aragón!
Linda (LD Holland) on September 19, 2024 at 6:05 PM

Always interesting to have to plan vacations for people with a wide range of ages and physical capabilities. We too like to hike and our children are usually pretty good at finding hikes we can do. But in the Pyrenees it looks like there are lots of other options too for families of all ages. We really do need to plan a visit to the Pyrenees!
Millette on September 20, 2024 at 3:12 AM

I’m amazed everytime I come to your blog and discover all there is to do and see in Spain! Also as I have a young daughter and also an aging mother this type of blog post is perfect for me! I had no idea Lanuza existed but it truly looks like a carbon copy of Frozen, I had to blink twice! Thank you for the great tips!

Pyrenees Family Holidays: Visiting Aragonese Pyrenees with Seniors and Kids

Our Amazing Pyrenees Family Holidays

Visiting Aragonese Pyrenees